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Donald Iyare Benedict

@donaldillustrates.bsky.social

17 followers 27 following 45 posts

KidLit Illustrator ✏️🦋✍️ Linktr.ee/donnieben.draws

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Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · Aug 7

Hello everyone 😊
Just sharing my latest #KidLitArtPostcard!

If you’ve got a wildly imaginative story you’re looking to bring to life, I’d love to hear about it.

📩 Feel free to send a direct message or reach out anytime: [email protected]
Linktr.ee/donnieben.draws

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Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · 11d

Supposedly, a sketch for the strawberry prompt 🍓 featuring Acorn 🌰 that one brother who drives you crazy but you can’t ditch him ‘cause… family.

#peactober25strawberry #peachtober25 @peachtober

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · 11d

There’s something calling me in this direction that I can’t quite explain, but I’m going to follow it for a while. Maybe I’ll switch things up again later — who knows. The main thing is to keep creating every day.

#illustrator #peachtober25 #peactober25strawberry @peachtober
07 • Strawberry

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · 11d

I honestly don’t even know how this one came out. it just happened naturally after playing around with some new brushes. 🎨 I’ve been wanting to explore texture more in my illustrations, and this piece kind of marked the start of that.

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Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · 12d

06 • Ring
Almost didn’t make it today 😅 it’s been one of those days! So much going on, but right before the chaos took over, an idea sparked, and I ran with it. Glad I squeezed this one in! @peachtober

#peachtober25 #peachtober25ring #illustrator #kidlitart #childrensbookillustration #drawdaily

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Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · 13d

Day 05 – Poppy @peachtober
A little picnic scene somewhere dreamy with a friend 🌸

I had so much to do today, so this one’s just a sketch for now—but I’ll definitely be finishing it up.

#peachtober25 #peachtober25poppy #illustrator

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · 14d

04 · Gingham
“It’s time for a new look,” he said.

I started designing this as a two-page book spread before realizing… it’s not actually for a picture book 😅 (at least not yet). But I’ve definitely been thinking about it lately!

#peachtober25 #peachtober25gingham #illustrator #bookillustration

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · 15d

Guess who went on a hike today?
Apparently he’s not just a wanderer — he’s a singer, too! Who knew this slug had talent? 😆

03 – Slug @peachtober
#peachtober25slug #peachtober25 #infinitepainterart #illustrator

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · 16d

I’ve officially made Acorn the star of the show! 😆 Can’t wait to keep unfolding his story and who knows, maybe some new friends will join him along the way.

This one’s for @peachtober, and I’m also using it as my #kidlitartpostcard!

#peachtober25kite #peachtober25

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · 17d

Discovered @peachtober just a few hours ago and couldn’t resist jumping in! ✨ 01 - Acorn 🌰✏️

Let’s see how many of these I can keep up with 👀

#peachtober25 #peachtober25acorn

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · 18d

📖 The Nighttime Dishes launches TODAY, and I couldn’t be prouder to have helped bring its world to life.

🏷 Published by Pastime Park Books

#coverreveal #booklaunch #illustration #fantasybooks #readersdelight #author #illustrator

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · 18d

✨ COVER REVEAL DAY ✨

I’ve been counting down to this moment, I finally get to share the cover I had the absolute joy of illustrating for The Nighttime Dishes, written by the incredible Beth Mabry ! 🌟

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · 22d

We all need that one friend like Ramsey - the kind who’s always got your back. 💛
✨ From True to You by @ky_kat1984 , illustrated by myself.

I’ve been a bit slow to share updates on projects (and probably will be for a while 😁), but here’s one I loved working on!

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#bookillustration #kidlitart

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · Sep 16

✨ TIME-LAPSE ✨ A peek inside Through My Eyes
“God did something special when He made me.”

Now available on Amazon 👉 a.co/d/eFMhgay

#PictureBookArt #KidsLitIllustrator #ArtProcess #TimelapseArt #IllustratorLife

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · Sep 13

Jillian’s brave story truly resonated with me. a journey that offers hope and encouragement to anyone navigating life with an eye condition.

Honored to help share this story through illustration. 😊

#illustration #PictureBook #KidLitIllustration #eyecare #doctor #eyedrops #eyejourney #eyedoctor

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · Sep 13

✨ Sharing a few more pages from Through My Eyes, written by the talented Author Myiesha J. Duff and beautifully illustrated by me.

This is our second collaboration, and as always, working with @myieshajduff has been such a seamless and inspiring experience.

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · Sep 10

I sent it a few days ago! 😊 hope to hear from you soon! Thanks!

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · Sep 9

Here’s a peek behind the scenes, a time-lapse of my recent #KidLitArtPostcard.
I love watching the process back. I hope you enjoy it too 💫

#ArtProcess #TimelapseArt #KidLitArt #IllustratorsOnInstagram #CreativeJourney #infinitepainterart #illustrator #kidlitillustration #sketchtocolor #arttimelapse

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · Sep 5

I’ve always looked forward to #kidlitartpostcard thank you! 😊

I remember tracing back its origins and discovering you. It’s been such a wonderful experience seeing how other artists interpret and contribute to it as well.

Reposted by Donald Iyare Benedict

MiliFayArt.bsky.social @milifayart.bsky.social · Sep 4

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard Day!

I’m Mili, Toronto-based author/illustrator, trained in classical animation and fine art. I love a challenge: #PB, #MG, #YA…

Currently working on a graphic novel and seeking representation.

Cheers!

milifay.art

#KidLitArt #KidLit #GraphicNovels #illustration

From Just Dance! — Chapter 6: BFF graphic novel. This is one of the panels showing Ellen, the tween with pink hair, and our main character walking her dog Lulu with her new best friend, Cookie (Christopher SaMores), a cheerful, very tall and big boy. It is the golden hour in Autumn. If you wish to see the two page spread, please visit the Kid Lit Art section at milifay.art

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Reposted by Donald Iyare Benedict

Gina Perry @ginaperry.bsky.social · Sep 4

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day! I'm Gina Perry, a New England author and illustrator of children's books. I'm looking for that next cute and colorful book project: from picture book to early readers and chapter books. Rep'd by Sean McCarthy Lit. More at: www.ginaperry.com #kidlit

Brightly colored illustration of bugs having an outdoor, seaside party. Flowers and plants surround them. A grasshopper plays a flute, a beetle plays a ukulele, a bee shakes a maraca. Fireflies, dragonfly, ladybug, and caterpillar watch on. Art by Gina Perry. Text reads "author / illustrator ginaperry.com represented by Sean McCarthy"

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Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · Sep 4

This is beautiful!

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · Sep 4

Thank you so much, Vicky! I’d love to share my work with you. I see you have a query link listed. Would you prefer I submit through that, or would you like me to email you directly?

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · Sep 3

My style leans into wonder and playfulness, and I also enjoy incorporating expressive hand lettering into my work.

✨ Currently open to new projects and seeking literary/art representation.

Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · Sep 3

Hello! 👋🙂 #kidlitartpostcard
I’m Donald Iyare Benedict, a freelance illustrator specializing in picture books (both fiction and nonfiction) and YA projects.

I love creating magical scenes and whimsical stories filled with fun, imaginative characters, often with a touch of the wonderfully weird

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Donald Iyare Benedict @donaldillustrates.bsky.social · Sep 3

Aww, that’s so kind of you! I’ll take a virtual slice for now 😋 Thanks a ton!!